HRD hires, violates poll code

A group of academics have alleged that the HRD ministry’s appointment on Wednesday of Hamidullah Bhatt as director of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language is in violation of the model code of conduct.

A group of academics have alleged that the HRD ministry’s appointment on Wednesday of Hamidullah Bhatt as director of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language is in violation of the model code of conduct.

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The allegation was made after similar appointments were highlighted in the report ‘HRD last lap runs into poll code’ in Hindustan Times on Thursday, April 30. The academics have written to the Election Commission stating that the appointment was made without EC’s approval, which is mandatory for new government appointments once elections are announced.

Another group of Urdu language academics said Bhatt’s appointment was a violation of all established procedures for selection of such posts. “No interviews were held despite the HRD ministry seeking applications from Central Universities and institutes carrying research work in Urdu,” they said in a statement.

The HRD ministry on its part is going ahead with a meeting to select new Vice-Chairperson of the UGC on Friday, despite objections by the Cabinet Secretariat.